5 things for Hillary Clinton in 2015WASHINGTON (AP) - A still undeclared candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton sits atop the prospective field of Democratic presidential candidates for 2016. But as Clinton has said before, if she runs again, she'll work as hard as any underdog. Clinton's 2008 presidential bid stumbled against President Barack Obama, undermined by anti-war activists who opposed her vote to authorize the Iraq war, infighting among her staff and a large entourage in th...

Beebe sees path forward for Medicaid planLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Outgoing Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he's cautiously optimistic that the state will keep its compromise Medicaid expansion, warning that abandoning the program could be "politically disastrous" for its opponents. The two-term Democrat, who leaves office next month due to term limits, said he believes there's a path forward for reauthorizing the state's "private option." More than 213,000 people are enrolled in...

Arkansas businesses have 1 month to seek disaster LoansLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas businesses that sustained economic damage following storms, tornadoes and flooding in April have one month left to apply for a federal disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Linda Nelson, director of the SBA's Arkansas office, says Jan. 29 is the deadline to apply for loans to compensate for economic injuries caused by severe weather on April 27. Nelson says small nonfarm businesses, small ...

State agencies' funds hurt by bond fee declineLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An increase in the number of low-level criminal offenders released without paying bond is hurting the wallets of several local and state agencies in Arkansas. County jails have controlled inmate populations for decades by releasing offenders bond-free on citations that order them to show up to their court date, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/1xbUhJ1 ) reported. The practice has increased in recent years a...

Bridge project In Crawford County to begin in JanuaryFORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - A long-term bridge project in Crawford County is scheduled to kick off in early January. The Southwest Times Record reports (http://bit.ly/1zNbQBe ) that county road crews will begin work on the $1.05 million Pevehouse Bridge project on Jan. 5. Emergency Management Director Dennis Gilstrap construction of the bridge will cause road closures for some traffic in the area. The county and the city of Van Buren will work tog...

Why the US will power the world economy in 2015The United States is back, and ready to drive global growth in 2015. After long struggling to claw its way out of the Great Recession, the world's biggest economy is on an extended win streak that is edging it closer to full health. But the new year doesn't look quite so bright in other major countries. China is slowing as it transitions from investment to consumption. Japan has slid into a recession. Russia appears headed for one. Europe is b...

Candidate Q&A: State Senate District 16Thomas Akin Why are you seeking this position? District 16 needs a Senator with real business experience and a financial background to help pass laws that will help small business grow and create jobs. What will you bring to the position that your opponents will not? I have 30 years experience in business. I have started most of my businesses from nothing and worked in them daily, growing each one into a successful business. It takes hard work...

Federal officials: Risks from Arkansas power line unlikelyLITTLE ROCK — Federal regulators say construction of a proposed 720-mile, $2 billion transmission line that will cut through a dozen counties in Arkansas is unlikely to have a major environmental or social impact. The Department of Energy has released a preliminary environmental impact study on Clean Line Energy’s planned project that would run 3,500 megawatts of wind energy from Oklahoma through Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee, the Arkansas De...

Local holiday sales increaseSeveral Arkansas River Valley retailers reported an increase in sales this holiday season. Wilkins Brothers Outdoors, Lee Ann's Fine Jewelry and Merle Norman Cosmetics were all open Friday to service local shoppers after the Christmas holiday. Wilkins Brothers Outdoors Manager Sarah Neihouse attributed the surge in holiday sales to the "shop local" movement. "We are up," Neihouse said, "and it's because people are shopping more locally than la...

Pottsville extends contract with athletic associationPOTTSVILLE — The city of Pottsville extended its contract with the Pottsville Athletic Associaiton (PAA) that funds improvements and allows the group to use the ballpark. “We have extended the contract for one year for the park grant,” Mayor Jerry Williams told the city council, adding that residents’ responses have been overwhelmingly positive. “They were proud of what we got done down there.” PAA President Jason Drew told the council he appr...

Obituary: Jerry SparksCLARKSVILLE – Capt. Gerald Haze “Jerry” Sparks, 71, of Texarkana, Texas, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Born May 28, 1943, in Lamar, he was a retired United States Army captain and member of the First United Methodist Church in Hooks, Texas. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, “Sparky” and Lillian Sparks; wife, Brenda; and brother, George. Survivors include his children, Todd and Tracey of Harleysville, Penn.; Sherri and Eric Rozwodows...

Obituary: Lester WhalaDANVILLE —Lester Whala, 86, of Bluffton died Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. He was born Jan. 9, 1928, to Walter and Iva Mae Whala. He was preceded in death by his parents; three daughters, Barbara Dale Mitchell of Hot Springs Village, Debra Ann Sherrill of Bluffton and Peggy Jeanette Hudson of Bluffton; and two great-grandsons, Branson Pugh of Benton and Cayden Hudson of Bluffton. He is survived by his wife, Alice Dale Billingsley Whala; two daughters...

Obituary: Wilma BarefieldWilma Lee Barefield, 85, of Russellville went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 24, 2014. She was born April 12, 1929, in Atkins to Bill J. and Lethie McGee Virden. Wilma was a housewife and attended Victory Missionary Baptist Church of Russellville. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert C. Barefield; and her brother and sister-in-law, J.D. and Maxine Virden. People were Wilma’s passion. She belonged to the “Breakfast Cl...

Obituary: Norman WeathertonCLARKSVILLE — Norman Monroe Weatherton, 86, of Hartman died Dec. 23, 2014, in Clarksville. He was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Logan County to Homer and Bertha Pannell Weatherton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Joanne Guthrie Weatherton. He is survived by his son, Jerry (Bobbie) Weatherton of Alvin, Texas; daughter, Phyllis (George) Rogers of Clarksville; brother, Glenn Weatherton of Arizona; sisters, Willeen Trusty of Russell...

Obituary: Dean Freitag“Dean” Eugene Freitag, 52, of Russellville died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. He was born Oct. 16, 1962, in Breckenridge, Minn., to Dennis Freitag and Gloria Krause. He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Kim Johnson. Survivors include his mother, Gloria Olson; two sons, Austin Freitag and Tyler Freitag; one daughter, Ashley Freitag; one brother, Jedediah Olson; two sisters, Doreen Freitag and Tammy Jackson; and numerous family and f...

Obituary: Therma RackleyATKINS — Therma Rackley, 91, of Hector passed away Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville. She was born Jan. 16, 1923, in Smyrna, daughter of the late John L. and Mary Bell Sanders. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earnest Rackley; two sons, Lonnie Rackley and Roger Rackley; grandson, Jacky Hogan; granddaughter, Becky Aday; great-grandson, Jonathan Bridges; five sisters, Ruby Sand...

Obituary: Robert BerryDARDANELLE — Robert “Bob” Joe Berry, 85, of Delaware passed away Thursday, Dec.25, 2014, at Dardanelle Nursing and Rehab. He was born March 12, 1929, in New Blaine to the late Oscar William and Rosa Lea Black Berry. He was a member of the Dardanelle Missionary Baptist Church. Bob loved gardening and playing music. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Jean Berry; parents; daughter, Doreen Swatzel; granddaughter, Amanda Berry; a brother, Bo...

Obituary: Anna HenryDARDANELLE — Anna Henry, 87, of Dardanelle passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. She was born Jan. 7, 1927, in Dardanelle to the late Jerry Morris and Mary Novey Coffey. She was a member of the Dardanelle Missionary Baptist Church. She loved crossword puzzles, cooking and most of all mowing her yard. She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and one sister. She is survived by her daughter, Ro...

News Briefs (Dec. 28, 2014)Special called City Council meeting A special called City Council meeting to organize the City Council Rules and Regulations for 2015 will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the City Council Chambers. For more information, call (479) 968-1002. Library accepting Food for Fines The Arkansas River Valley Regional Library is conducting the program “Food for Fines.” The library will accept nonperishable food items through Wednesday. Donated items will...

News Briefs (Dec. 27, 2014)Blood Institute Blood Drive Dardanelle Nursing and Rehab Center and Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Donors will be entered in a drawing to win a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two. Arkansas Blood Institute is a nonprofit blood center that provides every drop of blood that is needed for patients in 21 hospitals throughout western and south central Arkansas. Donations can be ma...